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Susan SmithSusan Smith has worked as an editor and writer in the technology industry for over 16 years. As an editor she has been responsible for the launch of a number of technology trade publications, both in print and online. Currently, Susan is the Editor of GISCafe and AECCafe, as well as those sites’ newsletters and blogs. She writes on a number of topics, including but not limited to geospatial, architecture, engineering and construction. As many technologies evolve and occasionally merge, Susan finds herself uniquely situated to be able to cover diverse topics with facility. « Less

Susan SmithSusan Smith has worked as an editor and writer in the technology industry for over 16 years. As an editor she has been responsible for the launch of a number of technology trade publications, both in print and online. Currently, Susan is the Editor of GISCafe and AECCafe, as well as those sites’ … More »

Autodesk Excellence in Infrastructure 2014 Awards take into consideration those project that offer some concrete solutions to infrastructure challenges, rather than just citing problems. This approach is inspired by the recent USA-focused Making the Grade report.

Now in its third year, the Autodesk Excellence in Infrastructure Competition seeks to determine how state-of-the-art technology can make a difference. The winners all used BIM for civil infrastructure.

Having judged similar contests before in various categories for AEC and BIM, I know how much time and consideration is spent judging entries on innovative use of technology, the use of newer technologies, complexity, and sustainability. In this case the overall value Autodesk software and BIM for Infrastructure contributed to the project outcome, whether used to plan, design, build or manage infrastructure projects was a big factor. The winners will be honored at the upcoming Autodesk University 2014 conference – Infrastructure Symposium session this December in Las Vegas. Prices will be awarded upward of $10,000 by competition sponsors including HP.

The 2014 winners are (from company materials):

1st Place: Huettenwerk Krupp-Mannesmann (HKM) – “One Digital Factory” project, Duisburg, Germany. HKM captured first place with the creation of a comprehensive 3D model of a factory, including 3D-Scans and aerial photogrammetry of the factory, and the creation of a 3D model of the factory and surrounding environment within Autodesk InfraWorks. With this model they are able to reduce redundancy and contradictory 2D and 3D data, which helps to boost productivity in design and planning processes, reduce lead times for decision-making, and optimize inventory.

2nd Place: Dewberry & Loudoun Water – Potomac Water Supply Program Visualization, Loudoun County, Virginia, USA. To effectively communicate the mission of the Potomac Water Supply Program, Dewberry used Autodesk design and visualization tools [including Autodesk InfraWorks] to assist in the development of a community outreach video for the program, communicating how the program is designed to protect the Potomac River by using an innovative water banking system. Click here for more information, images and a video.

3rd Place: Huitt-Zollars and Orange County Public Works – La Pata Gap Closure, Orange County, California, USA. Huitt-Zollars used AutoCAD Civil 3D to significantly reduce the cost of a road project in Southern California, and Autodesk InfraWorks helps the design firm communicate with and update stakeholders during the construction on the project. Click here for more information, images and a video.

La Pata Gap Closure, Orange County, California. Image courtesy of Huitt-Zollars and Orange County Public Works

Small Projects Award: Anchorage Municipal Light and Power 3D modeling of underground facilities, Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Using a camera and Autodesk ReCap 360, ML&P’s Locates, Engineering, and Operations personnel are creating 3D models of hard-to-access underground electrical vaults. These 3D models are then made available to utility personnel through Autodesk ReCap 360 out in the field or back in the office. Click here for more information, images and a video.

Using a camera and Autodesk Recap 360, Anchorage municipal Light and Power personnel are creating 3D models of underground electrical vaults. Shown above is an image of the ceiling of a vault created with Autodesk Recap 360. Images courtesy of Anchorage Municipal Light and Power.

Special Visualization Award: COWI and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration – E16 Highway Project, Oslo, Norway. COWI uses a 3D model, created with Autodesk InfraWorks 360, of existing geographical conditions connected to the cloud, to plan and visualize the new E16, a four-lane, 32 km long highway in the east of Norway. Click here for more information, images and a video.

Visualization of a new four-lane highway in eastern Norway. Image courtesy of COWI and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration

A number of notable submissions to this year’s competition include projects focused on improving sustainability, resiliency and economic vitality in urban centers around the world, a crucial area of investment as humanity increasingly moves to and inhabits cities — 70% of global population is expected to be urban by 2050. Some of those notable projects include:

“All of the firms submitting this year are to be commended for the application of BIM workflows and the latest cloud and mobile enhanced solutions,” said Lisa Campbell, vice president, customer strategy marketing, Autodesk. “In fact, the winners this year used InfraWorks to aggregate diverse data to quickly generate 3D models ideal for showcasing initial design intent, exploring possibilities and creating compelling visuals and animations.”

The competition’s jury of industry experts selected the winners from submissions covering a wide range of transportation, land development, urban planning, water/wastewater and energy related projects.